The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Florence, SC for 2024

Caring.com offers a free service to help families find senior care and authentic reviews to help you in your decision. On average in Florence, SC, residents and their loved ones rate In Home Care agencies 5.0 out of 5 stars across the 12 options below.

The cost for seniors to receive home care in Florence is approximately $4,195 per month, according to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey. This is less than the state average of $4,433 and the national average of $4,957. One of the variables is the cost of living for the area. Near the center of the state in Sumter, the cost is about $800 more than Florence and aligned with national averages. In Spartanburg, seniors can expect to pay around $100 less than Florence. Myrtle Beach is a tourist destination, so residents pay more at $4,576 per month.

Home care and home health care in Florence have the same monthly cost at $4,195, even though home health care includes skilled nursing and light medical services. Adult day health care is a much more affordable option for care at $1,222, but it helps only during the daytime hours. Assisted living facilities are for active seniors who need varying levels of care but prefer to reside in a residential community. They are around $739 less than home care, and a semiprivate room in a nursing home is the most expensive option at $6,844 per month. 

Given the high cost of in-home care, many people use one or more forms of financial assistance to cover the expenses. Below, we explain some of the most common sources of financial help for paying for in-home care. If none of these options are available to you, you can reach out to your Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center to learn about local resources.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-Term Care Insurance covers expenses related to senior care, including in-home care. Depending on the policy type, beneficiaries may receive a cash payment to use towards long-term care or reimbursement for qualifying long-term care expenses. Note that there are limitations- typically a maximum benefit of $150 per day- and exact coverage terms vary depending on the exact policy, so always check the details.
• Medicare: Medicare does not cover in-home care because it is classified as custodial, or non-medical, care. However, some Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, which offer expanded benefits, may cover in-home custodial care.
• Medicaid: Medicaid coverage of in-home care varies between different states because it is not a federally mandated benefit. Currently, all states cover some in-home care either through their standard Medicaid or a waiver program. The specific coverage rules are set individually by each state.
• Veterans’ Benefits: The Aid and Attendance benefit is a monthly cash payment that beneficiaries can use to pay for senior care, including in-home care services. To qualify for A&A, Veterans must already receive the VA pension and meet several additional requirements, including needing assistance with the activities of daily living. Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more.
• Reverse Mortgages: Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) are federally insured loans that are available to homeowners age 62 and over. Reverse mortgages allow you to access a portion of your home’s equity in cash, tax free. Many seniors use reverse mortgages to finance their care expenses, including in-home care. Note that although there are no monthly payments due on reverse mortgage loans, borrowers do have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.